During a rare appearance last month on the University of Washington campus — where he snuck into buildings with his boyhood friend Paul Allen to learn how to program — the Microsoft co-founder talked about the evolution of computer science and explained how the latest advances in technology are fueling the work of his foundation and its partners in global health and education.

The discussion, led by UW computer science professor Ed Lazowska, was followed by an illuminating Q&A session in which students quizzed Gates on topics such as health care, politics, education and the realities of life as a billionaire.